This company does not use plastic in shipping materials. Woodlot candles are made with an organic coconut and non-GMO soy wax blend and scented with essential oils and poured over Eco Wicks. OK, so the wick is fine, but what about the big chunk of wax that is the actual candle? Well it turns out that’s not as bad as some writers would fruity scented candles have you believe either. To give you some background, candles are usually made from paraffin wax or soy wax, both of which are solids that act as the fuel for candle flame. Writers often cite a 2009 study by South Carolina State University researchers that claimed that paraffin wax releases harmful chemicals such as toluene.
In my home I typically keep soy wax and coconut wax candles around. I also know beeswax is a popular eco-conscious candle wax as well. Along with the scent and wax we have to be cautious of what’s in the wick of a candle. In the US, candle wicks are supposed to be made of cotton or paper, but studies have found that as much as 30% of candles contain heavy metals in the wicks. Soy candles are made from soy wax and soy wax is made from soybean oil. These candles melt more quickly than other types and they usually come in a container.
The Cellar Door Candles website states they only use cold pressed ingredients without any type of chemical processes. The candles cost around $15 to $48 and come in scents like Tokyo citrus, Pacific Northwest and Lemon verbena & ginger. When choosing healthier candles for your home, look for 100% soy wax, beeswax or coconut wax, with cotton or wood wicks. Fragrance can be okay if no one in your household is sensitive to it, but be sure to look for fragrance from only pure essential oils. LITE + CYCLE offers non-GMO soy and vegetable oil/wax blend candles that are scented with 100% pure essential oils and poured with an unbleached cotton wick. Not only are synthetic fragrances nausea-inducing, but they can cause real health issues.
This is why many are turning to clean candles when it’s time to cozy up for the evening. For those shopping around, Foley recommends looking for candles made from vegetable wax (like soy, beeswax, or non-GMO corn). “If it doesn’t list a plant or vegetable wax, you should assume that it’s a paraffin wax,” she explains, adding that the wick should always be cotton, and preferably organic. “If you see a wick that’s coated in a heavy coating, inquire as to what the coating is,” says Foley, noting that it could be coated in paraffin.
We have reinvented how fragrance is experienced and how candles perform with your health in mind. OK, so the wick is fine, and the wax is harmless, but what about the fragrance in scented candles? There’s no way that apple-pie and fresh vanilla ice cream scent doesn’t contain carcinogens right?